Machine for operating upon soles.



P. M. FURBER'.

MAOHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SOLES. APPLICATION FILED FEB-.10, 1909. I

1,019,888. Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

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' APPLICATION FILED FEBJO, 1909.

Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

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I' M. FURBER.

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SOLES. I

APPLICATION FILED PEBJO, 1909.

1,019,888. Patented Mar. 12, 1912. V 55 sauna-annua.

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F. M. FURBER.

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON SOLES.

APPLICATION TILED I'EB.10, i909.

Patented Mar. 12, 19.12.

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coll-num- PMHOGRAPN coqvmslmun'w. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

FREDERICK M. FURIBER, OF REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON', NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK M. FURBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Revere, in the county of Sufiolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Operating Upon Soles, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

The present invention relates primarily to machines for operating upon soles and more specifically to those especially intended for use in forming a groove in the face of a sole at or near its toe end approximately parallel to its edge.

In most shoes, and particularly in McKay shoes in which, ordinarily, the insole rests directly upon the outsole, the edge portionv of the upper materials extends between the two soles around their edges. At the ends of a lasted shoe, especially at a pointed toe, the upper materials lie in superposed or plaited layers, thus producing a noticeable bunch between insole and outsole. It has been previously proposed to form a groove in either the outsole or the insoleto receive this bunch formed by the plaited upper and thus to avoid the formation of a corresponding bunch upon either or both insole and outsole, but so far as applicant is aware, there has been upon the market, prior to the present invention, no commercially satisfactory machine for doing this work. Prior machines have either been too slow in operation to compete with hand work or have formed a groove of a shape not exactly suited for the desired result.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a machine capable of forming such a groove in a sole quickly, but without requiring any special skill on the part of the operator. To this end, it is preferred, in order to obtain a maximum capacity and efliciency, to employ a machine having a rotary cutter which is continuously operated not only while each sole is being acted upon, but also while the operator is introducing the sole into the machine, and while he is removing it therefrom,

but other tools may be used.

MACHINE FOR OPERATING- UPON SOLES.

Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

Serial No. 477,079.

For some classes of work, it is necessary or advantageous that the cutter or other means for operating upon the work should be normally out of operative relation to the work and that it should be so arranged that it may be brought quickly into operative position,

Hence, in one aspect, the present invention comprises a machine which includes suitable means for positioning the work and relatively movable means for operating upon the work and in which the latter means is normally maintained in inoperative position but is arranged to be moved into operative position by the work as it is introduced into the machine or as it is moved over the work rest or other positioning means.

In performing the class of work for which the present machine is especially designed namely, producing a groove adjacent and substantially parallel to the edge of a sole suitable to receive the plaited upperit is important that the edge should be left of full thickness and unmutilated.

Hence, it is a further object of the present invention to provide means which not only can be brought quickly into position to operate upon the sole but which also will act upon the sole at a distance only from its edge. According to this feature of the invention, it comprises the provision of relatively movable work positioning and work engaging means, such, for example, as a work table or rest and an edge gage or stop, the latter being constructed to be moved by the work as it is introduced into the machine to bring the means for operating upon the work into engagement therewith at a distance from its edge. The construction will preferably be such that, after the edge of the work has passed longitudinally a predetermined distance beyond the operative part of the cutter, or other means for operating upon the work, the cutter will be brought into position to act upon the work and will remain operative until the work is retracted whereupon the cutter will recede from engagement with the work so that a sole, for example, may be introduced into and withits faces adjacent its edge. 1 While, as already stated, applicant has drawn from the machine without injury to particularly devised the present machine for producing a groove in a sole of the character and for the purpose described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that either one, or both, of the features of the invention already described may be embodied in machines which do not necessarily include a rotary cutter and which may be employed for purposes other than grooving soles, such for example, as for performing various cutting or abrasive operations upon soles, taps, heels or other parts of a shoe. Moreover, so far as these broad features of the invention are concerned, the operating tool may be caused to travel progressively along the work, the work may be fed past the tool or there may be movement of both work and tool. It is not even essential to the invention, in its broadest aspect, that there shall be any movement of the tool along the work since for some operations the tool may travel only in the direction of the thickness of the work as might be the case where merely a circular recess is desired. However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, hereinafter described in detail, as the work is introduced into the machine, one or more rotary cutters are brought into operative relation with the work and then as the work is carried farther into the machine,

. the cutter, or both cutters if two are used,

are caused to travel relatively along the work. In one form of the invention hereinafter specifically described, however, after the cutter has been brought into operative relation with the work, the cutter does not change its position but the work is fed past it.

When the machine is to be employed for grooving soles or the like, it is preferred to make use of a pair of rotary cutters, the axes of which are substantially parallel to the sole to be grooved, with means for so guiding these cutters that they will be caused, by movement relative to the sole, to produce grooves substantially parallel with its edge. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, two such cutters are mounted and arranged normally to be side by side with their adjacent faces substan tially in contact, but as soon as the cutters have been made to enter the sole to the de sired depth, as above described, they are caused to move in a direction at an angle to their original paths of rotation and to travel respectively from the end of the sole backward along its edge, the path of each cutter being controlled by a gage or stop contacting with the edge of the sole, which thus serves as a pattern or form. By providing cutters operating in this manner, it will be seen that the grooving operation can be performed quickly and that no considerable skill will be required on the part of the operator. Moreover, in order that the groove at the toe end, or at the point at which the cutting commences, may be continuous with no appreciable fin or ridge at the junction of the grooves formed by the respective cutters, it is considered highly advantageous to provide two cutters which are in contact, face to face at the commencement of the cutting operation, and which, therefore, begin to cut at the same point or line for, obviously, if there were any space between the active cutting faces, a corresponding ridge would remain between the adjacent ends of the two grooves which are produced as the cutters separate to travel along the edges of the sole. In the broadest aspect of this feature of the invention, it is not essential that there should be two cutters, for it is contemplated that one cutter could be used to advantage, in which case, preferably, the cutting operation would be commenced at one side of the sole and be'continued across its median line to the other side, but by employing two cutters greater speed of operation is obtained. Moreover, it is considered to be best, although not essential, to combine in one machine the two principal features of the invention already described, viz :the means for moving the cutter into operative relation with the work as the latter is introduced into the machine and the cutter which is movable in a direction at an angle to its the work in a line substantially parallel to lts edge for, in such case, the cutter, or cutters, first will be brought from inoperative into operative relation with the work and then will be carried along it to produce a groove substantially parallel to its edge so that it will be necessary merely for the oper ator to push the sole into the machine and then to withdraw it, during which time a continuous groove will be formed. It will be understood, however, that either of these features may be used, if desired, without the other.

Preferably, a stop is provided to control the depth to which the cutter or other tool will enter the work. In the machine hereinafter described in detail, the stop acts first to limit thelmovement of the tool into the work, after which the further movement of the work with reference to the tool carries the operating point along the work, the stop maintaining the depth of cut desired.

I In addition to the features already specifically referred to, the present invention includes also other combinations and arrangements of parts, as well as certain details of construction, which will be hereinafter described in detail and defined in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate two of the many possible embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 represents, in front elevation, a machine embodying the invention in its preferred form; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view partly insection of the cutters and other associated parts; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the parts in a different position; Fig. 5 is a similar detail view of certain of the parts shown in Figs. 3 and 4, illustrating how the cutters may be secured upon their shafts; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the mechanism by which the two cutters are connected to move laterally together; Fig. 7 is a central sectional elevation of one cutter, the supporting table and associated parts; Fig. 8 is a View chiefly in front elevation of the edge gages and the means for adjusting them; Fig. 9 represents a double sole, grooved as contemplated by the present invention; Fig. 10 represents in side elevation another form of machine embodying the invention, and Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14 represent various details of the feeding devices of the machine shown in Fig. 10.

Referring, in the first instance, to the preferred embodiment of the invention, illus trated in Figs. 1 to 8, 2 represents the frame of the machine provided with a base 4, which may be secured to a bench or to any suitable stand. The frame includes a pair of uprights 6, provided with bearings for supporting the main shaft 8. At the front side of the machine, a work table 10, provided, if desired, with a series of anti-friction rolls 12 in its work-supporting face, is bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the frame. Above the work table 10, are mounted two rotary cutters 16. These cutters and various parts associated therewith are substantially duplicates of each other and therefore a description of one set of parts will apply also to the other set. As illustrated particularly in Fig. 3, each cutter 16 is mounted upon a short horizontal shaft 18 which is provided at its inner end with an enlarged tapering head 20. A split collar 22, surrounds the tapered end and is correspondingly tapered upon its inner surface. Upon a cylindrical surface 23, at the the inner end of this collar, is directly supported the cutter 16, which has a corresponding inner cylindrical surface normally fitting somewhat loosely over the surface 23 and which rests against a shoulder of the collar. As illustrated in the drawings, the collar 22 is made up of four distinct parts with spaces 25 between. Surrounding the cylindrical portion of shaft 18, is a sleeve 26 having a flange at its inner end against which the collar 22 abuts. Sleeve 26 is mounted in an elongated bearing or support 28 and is rotated by a pulley 30 secured to the sleeve. The outer end of shaft 18 is threaded to receive a nut 32, which bears against the outer end of the sleeve 26. Pulley 30 is secured to the sleeve by a pin 34, passing through a slot 36 in shaftl8. It will be seen that by this construction the pulley is secured against longitudinal movement upon the sleeve or with reference to the bearing 28, but that the shaft 18 may be drawn longitudinally through the sleeve by a turning of nut 32, the pin 34 serving to prevent the shaft from turning in the sleeve. During such outward longitudinal movement of shaft 18, its tapered end 20 will expand the collar 22 so that the cylindrical surface 23 will be pressed firmly against the inner surface of the bore of the cutter and so that the tapered surfaces of shaft end 20 and collar 22 will likewise be pressed together with the result that the cutter is securely held upon collar and shaft so as to rotate therewith.

As has already been indicated, it is deemed important that the cutters 16 shall be in contact face to face when in the position illustrated in Fig. 3. In order to insure such contact, notwithstanding any inaccuracy in the sizes of the parts, whether due to original errors in manufacture or to subsequent wear or to grinding of the cutters, a spring 37 may be interposed between one or each cutter 16 and the respective flanged end of sleeve 26, as shown in Fig. 5, so that in assembling the cutter upon the collar 22 the spring will tend to force the cutter away from shoulder 24 and against the other cutter, when in the position illustrated in Fig. 3, after which the cutter may be locked to the collar and thereby to the shaft 18 by the rotation of nuts 32, as already explained.

Each bearing 28 is formedintegral with a hollow vertical shaft 38 which is rotatably mounted in a sleeve 40, formed as an integral part of a swinging frame 42, which, at its rear end, is p-ivotally supported upon a bushing 44 clamped in the split upper ends of the uprights 6 by screws 45 and serving as the direct support and bearing for the shaft 8. from the frame 42 is an arm 46, provided with a boss 48, through which extends a vertical rod 50 connected at its lower end with a coiled spring 52, which, in turn, is connected to a lug 54, extending upwardly from base 4. A thumb nut 56, threaded upon the upper end of rod 50 and bearing upon the upper side of boss 48, serves to adjust the tension of spring 52, the normal effect of which is to raise the front end of cutter carrying frame 42 and maintain the Extending rearwardly permitted to raise the frame and the cutters supported T'tl'rereby and thus the upward movement of the cutters is limited. Secured to the front end of the overhanging arm 60 is a foot or guard 62, which partially surrounds the two cutters. provided also with a lug 64 (Fig. 2) adapted to "engage a corresponding lug 66 on the frame 42 to limit the downward movement of the forward end of the frame and therefore the downward movement of the cutters so that the latter fcannot be brought into engagement with the table 10.

Brackets 68, extending upwardly at the sides of frame 42, are slotted at- 70 to receive headed studs 72, upon each of which is rotatably mounted a pair of idler or guide pulleys 74. Stud 72 is reduced in diameter at 76, where itpasses' through the slot to form a shoulder to bear against the side of the bracket 68 while a nut 7 8 upon the threaded end of the stud serves to clamp it in proper position. Secured at each end of the main shaft 8 is a driving pulley 80 which, through a belt 82 passing OVGI; the idler pulleys 74 and thepulley 30 upon the cutter shaft transmits rotary movement to the respective cutter. As shown, the shaft 8 is provided with a fast pulley 84 driven by a belt 86 from a counter shaft, or any other suitable source of power.

As previously stated, the two cutters are normally held face to face in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 but, as the work is being introduced into the machine, they will be moved to the position illustrated in Fig. 4. For the purpose of maintaining the cutters in such normal position and returning them thereto from the position of Fig. 4, and in order that while being displaced from normal position they shall move substantially equal distances, they are connected by the mechanism illustrated particularly in Fig.6. Secured to the upper end of inch of the hollow shafts 38, is a collar 90 provided with an arm 92. Through each of these arms 92 passes a pin 94 having a head or block 96 at its upper end and secured against withdrawal by a pin 98 (Fig. 2). Each of the heads 96 is provided with a hole to receive a rod 100, the rod being secured to one head 96, but fitting loosely into the other so as to permit relative movement of the two arms 92. A spring 102 surrounding the rod 100 and bearing at its ends against the heads 96, tends to turn the shafts 38 in opposite directions to carry them and their connected parts from the position shown in Fig. 4 to The arm 60 is location of this arm 104 is such that, as the shafts 38 are turned against the resistance of spring 102 toward the position shown in Fig. 4, both cutters will travel at substantially the same rate of speed and to substantially the same distance.

For controlling and guiding the movement of the cutters with reference to. the edge of the work, there is connected to each cutter a gage or stop 108, provided with an anti-friction roll 110 and pivoted at 112 to a block 114 which is slidably mounted for movement toward and from the front of the machine in a block 116, which is split, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the two parts may be drawn together by a bolt 118 to clamp the block 114 to the block 116 after any desired adjustment has been made. As illustrated, the two blocks 114 are provided upon their adjacent sides with rack teeth 120 so that when "one of the blocks 114 is adjusted, the parts being at such time in the position shown in Fig. 3, the other block 114 will be moved to the same extent.

For cont-rolling the depth to which each cutter 16 may enter the work, each block 116 is provided with a vertically adjustable foot 122 which is arranged to bear upon the upper surface of the sole between its edge and the groove being formed by the cutter '(Fig. In order that the depth of cut may be adjusted, each foot is mounted to move vertically in a guideway 124 in the block 116 and is adapted to receive a threaded stud 126 provided with a collar 125 and a small gear or tooth disk 128. A blade 130 bifurcated at its forward end, partially to surround the stud 126, is secured to block 116 and fits between the lower face of the gear 128 and the upper face of the collar 125 so that the stud 126 is secured against vertical movement and, therefore, when rotated, causes a vertical movement of the foot 122. As clearly indicated in Fig. 8 the gears 128 for the respective cutters are intermeshed when in their normal position so that an adjustment of one foot 122 will result in a corresponding adjustment of the other. The upper end 132 of one of the studs 126 extends above the gear and is square in section so that it may be engaged, as by a wrench, and the stud rotated.

To limit the inward movement of the work, as it is introduced into the machine, there is provided a stop 188, extending substantially vertically through the rear end of table 10 and provided with a forwardly eX- tending rod 140, fitted to slide in a lug 142 upon the lower side of table 10. A milled nut 144, fitting in'a slot in the lug 142 and threaded upon the part 140 of the stop, serves as a means for adjusting the position of the stop and thereby determines the length .of the grooves formed in the work.

While the specific shape of the edge of the cutters is not deemed of vital importance, the shape illustrated clearly in Fig. 3 is preferred. It will be noted that the cutting edge transversely of the cutter comprises an inclined portion adjacent the advancing side of the cutter and a portion substantially parallel with the axis adjacent the opposite side, these portions being of approximately equal length. Such a shape for the cutting edge contributes to the making of a smooth uniform groove.

The overhanging arm 60 of the frame 2- serves, not only as a support for the guard 62 and as a means for limiting the movement of the cutter carrying frame, but it also forms a hood for the cutters. The frame of the machine is hollow and opens into the space below this overhanging arm, while an air conduit 146 extending laterally from the frame leads to an exhaust fan by which the material cut from the work is drawn away from the machine so that it cannot escape into the room in which the machine is being used.

The preferred mode of operation of the specific machine described, will now be ex plained briefly. It will be assumed that a sole S, which may, as shown in Fig. 9, comprise a whole sole and a tap sewn together by a line of stitches L, is to be provided within the line of stitches with a groove G to receive the thick plaited edges of the upper materials at the toe end of a shoe. Vith the parts of the machine occupying the position represented in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7, and in full lines in Fig. 6, the cutters 16 will be supported at a distance from the work table 10 greater than the thickness of any sole which it is intended to groove, the spring 52 maintaining the lower bar of frame 42 against the lower side of overhanging arm 60, as shown in Fig. 7. The cutters will then be in engagement with each other face to face, as shown in Fig. 3, with the racks 120 and the gears 128 in mesh respectively. In this position the edge gages 108 may be adjusted simultaneously if desired, to regulate the distance from the edge of the sole at which the groove G will be formed; also the feet 122 may be adjusted simultaneously to determine the depth of out. Since the edge gages 108 are pivotally connected to the blocks 114, their front ends will rest upon the work table 10. The stop 138 will be adjusted according to the distance which it is desired that the grooves shall extend backwardly from the toe end of the sole. The operator will now take a sole to be grooved and, holding it by its heel. end, will introduce it into the machine between the foot 62 and the table 10 and, maintaining the longitudinal median line of the forepart of the sole approximately in the plane of the contacting faces of the cutscribed. The machine of Figs.

ters 16, will push the sole inward against the edge gages 108. As he continues to push the sole inward, the cutter carrying frame will be swung downwardly about the bushing 44, against the resistance of spring 52 and the cutters will be brought into operative relation with the sole. hen the cutters have entered the sole to the depth for which the machine has been adjusted, the feet 122 will be brought to bear against the upper face of the sole outside the groove to be formed. Thus, further downward movement of the cutter carrying frame will be prevented but, as the operator continues to push the sole farther into the machine, it will act as a wedge between the edge gages 108 and will spread them apart against the resistance of spring 102 and the cutters will be forced to travel in opposite directions along the side edges of the sole until the toe end of the sole comes into engagement with stop 188, whereupon the formation of the groove G will have been completed and the parts will occupy some such position as is indicated in Fig. 4 and in broken lines in Fig. 6. The operator may now withdraw the sole, the cutters first returning to the position shown in Fig. 3 and then rising to clear the uncut portion of the sole between the groove and its edge as the edge portion of the sole passes outward under the cutters. As indicated in Figs. 2 and 7 the upper surface of the table 10 is somewhat inclined so that in the movement of the cutters from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4, they will travel substantially parallel to the surface of the sole in order to produce a groove of uniform depth.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14, inclusive, only one rotary cutter is employed, but it is maintained normally above the work and is brought, by the introduction of the work, into operative relation therewith, as in the'p'referred embodiment of the invention, already de- 1.0 to 14 comprises a suitable stand 156, a hollow box 158, in which an exhaust fan may be mounted, and a head 160 supporting a driving shaft 162. Pivoted at 164 to the head is a swinging frame 166 to which is pivoted at 168 an arm 170 capable of a limited movement about pivot 168 with relation to frame 166. The cutter 172 is secured to a shaft 174 mounted in the lower end of this arm 170 and driven by a belt 17 6 from a pulley 178 upon the shaft 162. The frame 166 is provided with an extension 180, the lower end of which projects below and behind the cutter 172 in posit-ion to be engaged by the sole.

S as it is introduced into the machine. The extension is provided with a circular opening 182 into which projects a lug 184 upon the arm 170. Threaded into this lug 184 is a screw 186, the two ends of which bear against opposite sides of the recess 182. Ad

justment of screw 186 through its knurled head 188 changes therelation of extension 180 and cutter 172 and thereby varies the distance between the groove G and the edge of the sole. A rod 192, slidable in the head 160 is pressed forward by a spring 193 against frame 166 to carry the cutter 17 2 into highest position, which position isdetermined by a rod 193 extending forward from the. frame 160 through an opening 194 in the frame 166 and provided with a hooked end 195 to engage the frame. For supporting the work, a table 196 is provided at the upper end of an inclined shaft 198 which is arranged for vertical movement in a slide 200 supported upon a bracket 201 projecting forward at the lower end of head 160. The shaft 198 is non-rotatable in slide 200 and is reduced in diameter and threaded at its lower end 202 t0 receive an adjustable stop nut 204. A bracket 208 supported from the slide 200 is split at its lower end and internally threaded to receive a screw 210 in alinement with shaft 198. Interposed between the nut 204 and a flange 211 upon screw 210 is a coiled spring 212 which tends normally to press nut 204 against a shoulder 213 formed at the lower end of a boss at the upper end of bracket 208. A clamping screw 214 may be used to drawthe sides of the split end of the bracket firmly against the screw 210 and lock the screw in adjusted position. It will be obvious that the initial position of the table 196 may be varied by adjusting nut 204 upon the threaded portion 202 of shaft 198 and that the tension of spring 212 may be varied by releasing screw 214 and by adjusting screw 210.

As indicated at 216, Fig. 11, (which is a view in perspective, partly in section, from the rear of the feeding devices) the slide,

200 is dovetailed to engage with a corresponding dovetail 218 upon a block 220 formed as a part of bracket 201. A pair of lugs 222 project downward from slide 200 and are spaced apart to receive between them a collar 224 secured firmly to an adjusting screw 226 threaded at its inner end into the lower part of head 160. By rotation of screw 226, the depth to which the rotary cutter 172 will enter the work S may be varied as will be further explained.

Rigidly secured to slide 200 is a block 230 upon which are carried the work feeding devices. As shown in detail in Fig. 13, these 1 devices comprise two rolls 234, preferablyj fluted or roughened, arranged in the masleeve 240, shown separately in Fig. 12, located in a recess in block 230. Each sleeve is rotatably mounted upon a stud 236 and is provided with teeth 242 meshing with the teeth of a worm 244 secured to or forming part of a horizontal shaft 246 having a bearing within the block 230. As shown in Fig. 11, the worm abuts at one end against a sleeve 248 secured by a set screw 250 in the block 230. A pulley 252 secured upon the projecting end of shaft 246 is rotated by a belt 254 from a pulley 2556 upon a fan shaft 258 mounted in the box 158. The shaft 258 is provided also with another pulley 260 driven from a pulley 262 upon the shaft 16 by a belt 264.

As an abutment for the upper side of the work, there is provided a bifurcated foot 270 having a T-shaped end 27 2 so that is is vertically slidable in a correspondingly slotted lug 274 projecting from head 160. This footmay be vertically adjusted and held in vertical position through a screw 276 threaded at its upper end into the foot and provided with a collar 278 fitting into a slot in the birfurcated end of an extension 280 from lug 274. The feed, rolls 234 rest with their upper ends against the lowerside of foot 270. In order to maintain the rolls in contact with foot 270 in all of its positions, each stud 236 is surrounded by a coiled spring 282 interposed between the lower ends of bars 238 and a shoulder 283 of sleeve 240. By means of these springs the rolls 234 are held constantly against the lower side of the foot. If desired, an exhaust fan of usual construction may be mounted upon shaft 258 for the purpose of conducting away the refuse produced by cutter 172. As shown, a conduit 284 extends from. a point immediately in the rear of the cutter into the box 158, the exit opening of which is indicated at 286.

In using the machine illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14, after the necessary preliminary adjustments have been made to obtain the desired depth and location of groove, the edge of the sole opposite the point where the groove is to begin will be introduced between the table 196 and the foot 270, the table be ing thereby depressed, sufiiciently for the purpose, against the resistance of spring 212. As the sole is pushed toward the rear of the machine, it will first come into engagement with the extension 180 so that, during its further inward movement, the frame 166 will be swung downward and inward to bring the cutter into engagementwith the sole. The strength of spring 212 being sufficient to hold the sole constantly against foot 270, the cutter will then enter the sole to a depth which will be dependent upon the initial adjustment of foot 270, and of the feed rolls 234, since the movement of the frame will be limited by the engagement of the edge of the sole with the rolls. Thereupon, also, the sole will be fed in the general direction of the axis of the cutter by the rolls. After a groove of sufiicient length has been formed in the sole, the operator will begin to withdraw it and the feeding of the sole by the feed rolls will cease immediately. As the outward movement of the sole is continued the cutter will rise above the lower surface of foot 270 so that the sole may be completely withdrawn, as with the machine of Figs. 1 to 8, without injury to that portion of the sole between the groove G and the edge.

It will be observed that in the machine illustrated in Fig. 10, the depth of the groove cut may be regulated either by the in and out adjustment of the feed rolls, through rotation of screw 226, or by the vertical adjustment of foot 270, through rotation of screw 276. In practice, however, either one of these adjustments alone will be sufiicient without. the other. While some usual means, such as an adjustable idler pulley, may be provided for maintaining the tension of belt 254 in case the fed rolls are to be adjusted, it has been found that no such means is required for such range ofadjustment of the feed rolls 234: as is clesired in practice. However, if deemed preferable, a uniform tension of the belt may be maintained by adjustment of screw 226, while the depth of the groove may be regulated wholly by adjustment of screw 276, it being understood that when screw 226 is adjusted for maintaining such tension a corresponding adjustment of screw 27 6 will be required if the same depth of groove is to be obtained.

lVhile I have thus described my invention as embodied in two specific types ofmachine, it is to be understood, as already stated, that other forms of construction may be employed and that various details of the described machines may be considerably modified or entirely omitted without de parting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work rest, a relatively movable tool for operating upon work positioned by said rest, and means for actuating the tool continuously in both operative and inoperative positions, said tool being maintained normally in inoperative position with relation to the work but constructed and arranged to be moved automatically into operative posit-ion by the work as it is introduced into the machine and into inoperative position again as the work is withdrawn.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work rest, a tool, a tool carrier movable relatively to said rest for bringing the tool into operative relation with work positioned by said rest, and means upon said carrier constructed and arranged to be engaged and moved by the work and thereby to effect such relative movement of rest and carrier.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work rest, a tool, a tool carrier normally maintaining the tool in in operative position with relation to work bearing against said rest, and means other than the tool carried by the tool carrier and constructed and arranged to be engaged and moved by the work as it is introduced into the machine to bring the tool into operative relation with the work.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a substantially horizontal work table, a tool, means for operating the tool continuously, a tool carrier normally maintaining the tool in inoperative position at a predetermined distance above the table and a stop connected wit-h the carrier at the rear of the table constructed and arranged to be engaged and moved by the work as it is pushed over the table into the machine to bring the tool into operative relation wit-h the work.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work rest, a relatively movable tool maintained normally in inoperative position. with relation to work bearing against said rest, and means connected with but distinct from the tool and constructed and arranged to be moved to bring the tool into operative relation with work being introduced into the machine as soon as the edge of the work has reached a predetermined longitudinal position with relation to the tool and to maintain the tool in operative position until the edge of the work reaches such predetermined position as the work is being withdrawn.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work rest, a relatively movable tool for operating upon work positioned by said rest, means tending to maintain said tool in inoperative position, and means connected with but distinct from the tool and constructed and arranged to be moved to bring the tool into operative relation with the work as soon as the edge of the work has reached a predetermined longitudinal position. wit-h relation to the tool and to allow said first-named means to return the tool to inoperative position substantially at the time that the edge of the work again reaches said predetermined position.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a sole rest, a tool movable toward and from said rest, a stop connected with but distinct from the tool and constructed and arranged to be engaged and moved by the sole as it is carried in one direction along the sole rest, whereby the tool is brought into and maintained in operative relation with the sole by the sole itself.

8. In a machine of the class described, a rotary cutter and means for operating it continuously, in combination with a rest for positioning a sole below the cutter, and soleengaging means connected with the cutter and constructed and arranged to be engaged and moved by the sole as it is introduced into the machine so as to depress the cutter from inoperative into operative relation with the sole.

9. In a machine of the class described, a rotary cutter and means for operating it continuously, in combination with a sole rest, a swinging frame in which the cutter is mounted and which is movable toward and from the sole rest, means yieldingly to maintain the frame and cutter normally in inoperative position, a stop connected with the frame and arranged to be engaged by a sole as it is introduced into the machine and to be moved thereby to bring the cutter into operative relation with the sole.

10. In a machine of the class described, a work rest in combination with continuously actuated means for operating upon the work movable relatively to said rest and means constructed and arranged to be acted upon by the work as it is introduced into the machine to bring the operating means from inoperative position into position to act upon the work within its edge and to maintain the operating means in such position.

11. In a machine of the class described, a work rest, in combination with a relatively movable tool maintained normally in inoperative position with relation to work hearing against said rest, means for operating the tool continuously, and means connected with the tool and constructed and arranged to be engaged and moved by the work as it is introduced into the" machine to bring the tool into operative relation with the'work within its edge.

19.. In a sole grooving machine, a rotary cutter and means for continuously operating it, in combination with a rest for positioning a sole below the cutter, said cutter being maintained normally at a distance from the sole rest greater than the thickness of the sole, and a stop connected with the cutter in the rear thereof and constructed and arranged to be engaged and moved by the sole as it is introduced into the machine to bring the cutter into engagement with the sole at a distance from its edge.

13. In a machine of the class described, a sole rest, in combination with a tool maintained normally in inoperative position with relation to the sole rest, means for operating the tool continuously, means connected with the tool constructed and arranged to be engaged and moved by the sole as it is introduced into the machine to bring the tool into operative relation with the sole, and means for adjusting the distance from the edge of the sole at which the tool will op crate.

14:. In a machine of the class described, a work rest, in combination with a tool maintained normally in inoperative position with relation to the work rest, means connected with the tool and located continuously opposite the space between rest and tool in position to be engaged and moved by the work as it introduced into the machine to bring the tool into operative relation with the work, said means maintaining said relation so long as the work remains in the machine.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a sole rest, a tool movable toward and from the rest, and a stop connected with the tool but resting continuously upon the rest in position to be engaged and moved by the sole as it is introduced into the machine to bring the tool into operative relation with the sole.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work rest, a relatively movable cutter maintained normally in inoperative position with relation to the work, means connected with the cutter constructed and arranged \to be engaged and moved by the work as it is introduced into the machine to bring the cutter into operative relation with the work, and means for controlling the depth of cut.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work rest, a relatively movable cutter maintained normally in inoperative position with relation to the work, means connected with the cutter constructed and arranged to be engaged and moved by the work it is introduced into the machine to bring the cutter into operative relation with the work, and an adjustable foot to bear upon the sole adjacent the path of the cutter to control the depth of cut.

18. In a machine of the class described, a rotary cutter movable about an axis substantially at right angles to its axis of rotation and constructed and operated to cut a groove in a sole, and means controlled by the sole for determining the movement of the cutter about the first-mentioned axis.

19. In a machine of the class described, a work rest, a rotary cutter for operating upon work positioned by the rest, said cutter being relatively movable along the work transversely of its path of rotation, and means controlled by a form for determining such movement.

20. In a machine for operating upon soles, a rotary cutter relatively movable along a sole in a direction transverse to the rotary path of the cutter, and means engaged by the edge of the sole for controlling its movement in such direction.

21. In a machine for operating upon soles,

a pair of rotary cutters movable along the sole respectively in a direction transverse to the rotary path of each cutter and means other than the cutters for controlling their movement in such direction.

22. In a sole grooving machine, a pair of cutters rotatable about axes substantially parallel to the surface of the sole to be grooved, and means for guiding said cutters constructed and arranged to cause them to produce grooves substantially parallel wit-h the edge of the sole.

23. In a sole grooving machine, a pair of cutters rotatable about axes substantially parallel to the surface of the sole to be grooved and mounted side by side with their axes normally in alinement, each cutter being constructed and operated to cut a groove in the sole by movement in the general direction of the axis of rotation of the cutter, in

combination with means controlled by the sole for separating said cutters to cause them to cut simultaneously along opposite sides of the sole.

24. In a machine of the class described, a pair of rotary cutters movable toward and from each other, means tending to maintain them substantially in contact face to face, and means controlled by the work -thro-ugh which they may be separated while continuing in operation.

25. In a machine of the class described,-

a pair of rotary cutters movable toward and from each other, means tending to maintain them substantially in contact face to face, and connecting means to cause them to move substantially equal distances in opposite directions as they are separated.

26. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work rest, relatively movable means for operating upon the work maintained normally in inoperative position with relation to the work but constructed and arranged to be moved automatically into operative position by the work as it is introduced into the machine and guiding devices acting on said means thereafter as the work'is carried farther into the machine to move said means in a different direction and thus cause the operating point to travel along the work.

27. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work rest, a rotary cutter movable to and from operative position with relation to work bearing against said rest, the cutter being constructed and arranged to be moved automatically into operative position by the work as it is introduced into the machine and cooperating means to effect the relative movement of cutter and chine, first to cause the cutter to enter thework to a predetermined depth and then to transfer the operating point along the work.

29. In a machine of the class described, a cutter movable with relation to work both in the direction of the thickness of the work and in a direction substantially parallel to the upper surface of the work, in combination with means for controlling the movements of the cutter constructed and operated to prevent further movement in the direction of the thickness of the work as soon as the cutter has reached a predetermined depth but permitting subsequent movement of the cutter along the work. i

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a work rest of a rotary cutter movable successively in a plurality of planes with relation to the work rest, means for rotating said cutter continuously during such movement, and means rendered operative when the cutter has been brought into a predetermined position relative to the work and acting to shift the direct-ion of movement of the cutter from one plane to another.

81. In a machine of the class described, a rotary cutter, in combination with work engaging means connected with the cutter and constructed and arranged first to be engaged and moved by the work as it is introduced into the machine to bring the cutter into operative relation with the work and thereafter to control the path of the operating point along the work.

32. In a machine for operating upon soles, a pair of rotary cutters normally in inop erative position with relation to the sole, means for rotating the cutters continuously, sole engaging means connected to the cutters through which they are first brought into operative relation with the sole and are then caused to travel along it.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a work rest, a frame movable toward and from said rest, a rotary cutter carried by and bodily movable with relation to said frame, a stop constructed and arranged to engage the work and limit the depth of cut, additional work engaging means connected to the cutter through which the cutter and the stop are first brought into engagement with the work and then the cutter is caused to travel along the work.

34. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a driving shaft, 2. work rest, a pivoted frame movable about said shaft toward and from the work rest, a cutter carrying bracket movable in the frame in a plane approximately parallel to the face of the work rest, and means for rotating said cutter continuously from said shaft.

35. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a driving shaft, a work rest, a frame movable toward and from the work rest, a pair of cutters and brackets therefor movable in the frame in a plane approximately parallel to the face of the work rest, and means positively connecting said brackets to cause them to move simultaneously and substantially to the same extent.

36. In a machine of the class described, a sole support, a rotary cutter relatively movable toward and from said support and movable also longitudinally of the sole, in combination with adjustable stops construct ed and arrangedto engage the sole and control the depth and length of cut.

37. In amachine of the class described, a pair of shafts, cutters mounted at adjacent ends of the shafts with their faces in contact, at least one of said cutters being movable longitudinally of its shaft, yielding means to maintain the faces of the cutters normally in engagement, and means for seing as a stop to limit the movement of the tool frame.

39. In a machine of the class described, an adjustable gage including two work engaging parts normally connected to each other but separable so as to be wholly dis connected at times during the operation of the machine, and means connecting the parts when in normal position constructed and arranged to cause the movement of one part to compel a corresponding movement of the other part.

40. In a machine of the class described, an adjustable'edge gage including two independent work engaging parts normally connected together but separable so as to be wholly disconnected at times during the operation of the machine, said parts being provided with intermeshing members constructed and arranged to cause the adjustment of said parts when in normal position to take place simultaneously.

' 41. In a machine of the class described, a rotary cutter constructed and arranged to move with relation to work in a direction transverse to its path of rotation, said outter having a transverse cutting edge composed of two portions, .one substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and one inclined thereto.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK M. FURBER.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK L. EDMONDS, JAMES R. HODDER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

